MARCH 22, 1928
The Atlantic Flight Mystery
VERY little hope is now entertained of the safety of
Capt. W. R. Hinchliffe and the Hon. Elsie Mackay, who'left
Cranwell, Lincolnshire, on March 13, in a Stinson monoplane
(Wright " Whirlwind " engine) for an unknown destination.
Certain details suggest that they attempted to cross the
Atlantic, but the evidence is very slender. The machine
was reported seen 170 miles off the west coast of Ireland
on the same afternoon, and the Atlantic crossing had been
mentioned as one intention of Capt. Hinchliffe's, but mystery
pervaded the entire venture, and ended in a climax, when it
was not certain at first as to whether his companion was
Miss Mackay or Mr. G. Sinclair. The latter revealed him-
self after remaining low for a few days, and thus left no doubt
in this direction. It seems that Miss Mackay financed the
flight, including the purchase of the machine, and that much
of the mystery was instigated by her in order to spare her
parents, Lord and Lady Inchcape, from anxiety. Capt.
Hinchliffe was the former Imperial Airways pilot, and had
been flying for many years. Miss Mackay learned to fly at
Stag Lane a few years ago.
R.A.F. African Flight
AIR VICE-MARSHAL WEBB-BOWEN'S machine crashed at
Ndola, on March 16, in the course of the R.A.F. service
flight from Cairo to Cape Town and back. The machine was
badly damaged, but no one was injured. Two mechanics
were left behind to take charge whilst the other three machines
continued south, and reached Bulawayo on March 19.
Great African Survey Flight
SIR ALAN COBHAM cabled to Rolls-Royce, Ltd., as
follows :—" Arrived Durban. Congratulations and thanks
on superb performance of the two Rolls-Royce Condor
engines fitted in our Short metal flying boat. Engines have
just completed 150 hrs. without overhaul on flight through
Central Africa, and despite the varying climatic conditions
such as heat of the Sudan and thin atmosphere of high altitude
lakes, have run without falter. Since we left Rochester we
are all confident and happy in the reliability of the Condors
for the return flight home via the West Coast.—COBHAM."
South African Aviation
AN African Airways Company is expected to be registeredin a few days with, possibly, Sir Alan Cobham, on the board
of directors. Three D.H. " Moths " of special design willprobably be used for transporting gold from Rhodesia to the
Rand, and the pilots will be armed. A Rand-Durban airservice is also suggested in which Sir Alan Cobham will
co-operate with Major Miller, who is forming the AfricanAirways Company. In November next a bi-weekly service
between Johannesburg and Cape Town will be opened. Theflight will take nine hours, with one stop. It will serve
passengers landing from liners at Cape Town on Mondaymornings and convey them to Johannesburg by 5 p.m.
The Union Castle Line will co-operate and the machine usedwill be a three-engined biplane piloted exclusively by Lieut.-
Col. Henderson. Fares will be £15 each way single and£27 10s. return. A public company may result from a success
of the line. Sir Alan Cobham is at present making a rapidair tour of Rhodesia in a D.H. " Moth."
Flight-Lieut. Kinkead
THE inquest on Flight-Lieut. S. M. Kinkead was openedon March 14, at Calshot, and an official Court of Inquiry
began its sitting at Calshot the day before. It was suggestedat the inquest that he might have been poisoned by fumes.
It was said that he was not drowned. Tests are being madeto ascertain the true cause of death if possible. Flight-Lieut.
Kinkead was buried with full military honours at Fawlay,on March 16. Representatives of the Air Ministry, Royal
Air Force, and of the Army and Navy were present.Second Attempt upon Speed Record
DURING a lecture on high-speed aircraft at the RoyalUnited Service Institute on March 16, given by Major J. S.
Buchanan, the chairman, Air Vice-Marshal Sir John Higgins,hinted that another attempt to secure the world's speed
record would soon be made.Antarctic Air Expedition
COMMANDER BYRD, who flew the Atlantic last year, hasinvited Dr. L. D. Livingstone, an experienced Canadian
explorer, and Inspector Joy, of the Royal Canadian Mounted
A NEW DORNIER SUPER-WAL : Our picture shows a new all-metal Super-Wai flying-boat, fitted with four
British Napier "Lion " engines, which recently carried out successful flying tests over Lake Constance. In
addition to 20 passengers, this machine carries a crew of three, and with a full load of 12 tons it has a top speed
of 125 m.p.h. ; it has a cruising speed of over 105 m.p.h.
199